MARC ALBRIGHTON has been named as the fans player of the season so far in an exclusive poll carried out by the Birmingham Mail.

More than 1,500 Villa fans took part in our survey at the start of this month, the results of which we are publishing online this week.

We asked fans to name their player of the season so far, and also the player who had disappointed the most.

Albrighton, 21, polled more than half of the votes - 58.1% - in the player of the season question.

So far, Tamworth-born Albrighton has netted five times this season, and picked up three yellow cards and one red card.

His performances have impressed fans on both sides of a near one-month lay off in November with appendicitis.

In second place was Stewart Downing, with 29.7%. This is his first full season playing for Villa, after his £12million move from Middlesbrough in time for the start of last season. Injury delayed his debut last season.

Downing has scored six goals this season, helping Villa to victory against West Brom, Blackpool, Burnley (in the League Cup), and Wolves.

Third was Ashley Young, with 3.1% of votes.

In the question 'Which player has disappointed the most this season' summer signing Stephen Ireland was named most often by fans.

Ireland, who came to Villa Park from Manchester City as James Milner went the other way, has failed to settle in at Villa and has been reported as wanting a move away soon.

Some 41.7% of fans named him as their most disappointing player of the season so far. He played just twice in December and has yet to start this year.

Richard Dunne, another former Manchester City player, came second with 33% of votes.

He spent much of December on the sidelines and was reported to have have a training ground bust up with Gary McAllister - although the assistant manager insists there isn't a problem.

He returned to the team this month and has played in five games so far this year.

Third was John Carew, the former Holte End favourite who has now gone to Stoke City.